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Dewey names bayside beach

Public beach is located on Van Dyke Avenue

Chris Flood

July 4, 2014

The bayside beach on Van Dyke Avenue in Dewey Beach was officially given a name during the town commissioner's meeting June 20. The new name is Dewey Bayside Public Beach at Lighthouse Cove. BY CHRIS FLOOD

Dewey Beach town commissioners have officially named the bayside beach on Van Dyke Avenue: Dewey Bayside Public Beach at Lighthouse Cove.

The unanimous vote in favor of the name came June 20 during the commissioner's regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Dewey Beach Town Manager Marc Appelbaum presented the issue, saying the town has an obligation to make sure the beach is noted as a public beach.

Bill Lower, Dewey Beach Enterprises Inc. representative, said as part of the company’s commitment with DNREC and its subaqueous lease, that it be “categorically and unequivocally clear that this is a public beach.” DBE owns and operates the property which makes up the beach area, the Hyatt Place and the building formerly known as Ruddertowne.

Appelbaum said one option, Public Beach on Van Dyke Avenue, could be confused with the oceanside.

“One of the things I think is good is if in the name it tells people where it is,” said Appelbaum. “I think that’s desirable.”

Another suggestion, Public Beach at Lighthouse Cove, was nixed after Commissioner Gary Mauler voiced concern the name didn’t have Dewey in it and featured the business too prominently.

Mauler suggested Dewey Landing, but Lower was hesitant to not have Lighthouse Cove included somewhere in the name.

The company worked with the state and the town years ago to lease that beach, Lower said, and there should be some credit given in the name to the company that is maintaining and helped construct it.

Lower said beach signage will be consistent with other bayside beaches found in Delaware Seashore State Park. He said the signs would say, “no lifeguard on duty, no smoking permitted, please use trash containers and help keep our beach clean.”

Lower said as a starter for the immediate future the sign would be placed in the new message boards the town installed at all public beaches at the beginning of the summer. He said the sign might be more elaborate after this summer.